I went back to another gun dealer, and I'm probably going to go with him, he's the remmington mechanic for about a 400 mile diameter, and he fixes just about everything free. My goal is to spend no more than 450, and he qouted me a 870 super mag 28" black synthetic and a pattern master for 450 including tax. I could not get the pattern master and get the 30" waterfowl 870 for 410 from him I guess, but i've been told that i pretty much need a pattern master for waterfowl. Is30" to long forpheasant/dove hunting?I like the nova and browning, but i'd feel like i'm paying an extra for the name. Also the browning is more complicated with it's bottom eject and that's just more to go wrong, and Im just plain not fond of the nova. I understand that it's more work to keep the black gun clean and rust free, but i've been told that the camo can scratch off. thanks for all the help.

kris